Just starting to clean up the Z. 15K original miles, one owner who did not know a wrench from a steering wheel, but that's OK. He averaged a 1000 miles a year, someone else did maintenance, but only routine oil changes, etc.

Getting ready to take out the generic battery today, and put a 750 or 950 CCA Delco in. Studs corroded bad, ground the worse of the two.
Took out, cleaned up. Looking behind the battery, all of the fusible links look like they are ready to go south anytime. Maybe not as bad as I expect, but looking lightly corroded and poor.
No electric problems though, but one of the ZR owners advised me that I have a poor ground because of showing seat belt light on and infl.rest. light on the panel. Don't know if that is in this area or not.

Links look like about #10-11. Someone educate me here.
Also, when looking under the car, there is a small frame area where the paint is off under the battery, and on the passenger side, all like new.
Change out all fusible links? Car and battery is fine, running excellent.

Is there a water entry problem in the battery area? Has he had a bad battery leaking? He said he put in 5 battery's in 15 years.
This Z has been garaged and covered all it's life, but he moved to south FL 2 years ago, and always covered in a non-temperature controlled garage. Before that temp control all the time.
Humidity and salt air down here is bad news, especially in a hot garage and a cover on.
On my way to get new battery now, it does not need it, but I like the General when it comes to keeping your car all "GM", especially this one.

Thanks for any answers,
Boatman

 

I cant really say anything about the corrisoion other than the fact that if he lived near the coast your going to have some corrosion just from the salt I know I lived on a island for 3 years lots of corrosoion going on.

but why in the battery area could have had a battery that caused it?



and I know for sure about your seatbelt light that is the Square relay with the yellow wire that is on the frame rail towards the motor side you should be able to see it with the battery out.
theres another one on the passenger side.

 

if there is corrosion behind the battery, sound like a battery problem some time in the past. my 89 has been in the houston area, near the coast, and i never had any corrosion behind there with the wires or on the frame.

 

boatman:
I had the same problem. When it rain water run from where the locking device for the hood on the car down to the battery and the wires.
what I did was instaled a tube on the part and run it on the side of the wires and battery and never had problems after that.

Joseph

 

Pulled the gill off, battery out, and what a mess. Water does get in there, but at one time, he had a battery go south, big time. Not only that, I have one of the receipts where mice got under the plenum and ate up one of the vacuum hoses. True? Dunno, that is what the receipt said.
Looks like one of the battery's in the past started to leak. It leaked down and on that angled frame area, took all the paint off, and left white powder residue everywhere. Looks like the fusible links insulation and all of the looming in that area have been attacked by the gas or vapors being given off from the acid.
There is no direct attack to the wiring, except a couple of the links got a little thinner at the insulation, but hardly noticeable. There is not any number on the links.
Lot of repaint to do, I use oxide primer before the black satin in that area. Will have to replace or refinish most of the fastener bolts there to bring back up to specs.

Sleazy and Phrogs, thanks, and Joseph, where did you get that ZR-1 front plate cover?
Thanks,
Boatman

 

before you prime, i would pull everything out of there and use a wire brush and some sort of solvent to get rid of all the corrosion, other wise you'll be doing it again. just my .02 cents

 

Zinc Chromate Thanks for feedback.

 

Not that I don't love AC Delco, but I would NEVER buy one of there batteries. The sidepost AC Delco batteries are known for the sideposts freezing up and corroding, leaking battery acid down the frame just as you describe.

I have never seen under the hood of a C5, but when I was working in a mechanics shop, I was talking to a GM tech who was asking me about my 'vette. He said, "If you ever buy a new vette (C5), get rid of the battery. We've had so many returns/warranties because the sideposts have corroded and rotted out the framerail." Take that as you will, but it happened on my mom's car, (Pontiac with an AC Delco) and the old ladies car (Pontiac with an AC Delco). Just my $.02.

 

I understand the battery leak situation. This is a 1990 C-4, ZR-1, 15K miles.
Previous owner had an off brand battery in there, and probably another same type previous. He always had someone else doing the maintenance. Drop it off, pick it up. Never looked at anything. The last battery that was installed, whoever did it, just put it in with all the corrosion and acid residue staring him in the face.
His MO is different then mine or a lot of other Vette owners, that is fine, but some of us want to know what is going on. He didn't, just put in the key and drive. I have the original sale invoice and all doc's from day one for this Z, he paid $62K and some change. Usually paying that kind of dough would warrant a look at what wrenches are doing to your ride.
You are right about the frame rail. That is right where it headed. I buy Eastwood products, so I have what is needed for rust attack and prevention.

I can handle the light maintenance, but for serious work, I want to know who is turning the wrench.
Boatman